Chapter 107: Within Reach
Ning Yunxi looked away unnaturally.
"Yes, not really."
"Even if I can't work together with Prince Li, I can still change my father's mind."
"He is the Duke of Ningguo after all. Do you really disdain him?"
There was a hint of contempt in Yan Yu's eyes.
"I am ashamed to be associated with people who are fickle and treat their adopted daughter harshly."
Ning Yunxi thought about it and came up with another excuse.
"First the country, then the family."
"If my brother doesn't take back the world for the Yan clan, even if he enthrones me as the empress, it will only be a flash in the pan."
"In my opinion, my brother should marry her first, and then marry a legal wife when the world is truly at peace."
"A little impatience can ruin a big plan, please put the overall situation first."
Yan Yu endured it until she was suffocated and finally became furious.
"Don't tell lies and confuse me!"
"There are countless strategies and methods to take back the world, why do you need to marry her?"
"You can choose to reject me, but please respect my freedom of marriage."
"I have decided that I will never marry anyone other than you."
"Besides, you and I went through the wedding ceremony in our previous life. In my opinion, we have been husband and wife for a long time."
Ning Yunxi insisted.
"That's the ceremony of sworn brotherhood."
"To me, we are sworn brothers and sisters."
"Besides, we have never had any physical contact, so fundamentally, we are not husband and wife."
"Isn't it okay to just pretend that such an unclear ceremony never happened?"
Yan Yu frowned and turned his head, staring at her, as if thinking about something.
Feeling his burning gaze, Ning Yunxi didn't dare to look him in the face: "It's getting late, there are differences between men and women, I should go back to Ning..."
Having said this, Yan Yu suddenly placed a kiss on Ning Yunxi's forehead, gently lingering for a brief moment.
When he got closer, his wide sleeves lightly brushed her hair.
The first time, just a stone’s throw away.
As her heart beat faster, Ning Yunxi felt a numbness at the place where the kiss had landed.
The night breeze blew on her face, and she felt the heat on her cheeks.
This was a feeling of shame and embarrassment that she had never experienced before when facing Gu Nianting.
At this moment, she knew what was in her heart.
It turns out that she also has a crush on Yan Yu!
Their eyes met, and Yan Yu's eyes were full of tenderness.
"So, does this count as physical intimacy?"
The sudden heartbeat caught Ning Yunxi off guard, and for a moment, she was panic-stricken.
"me……"
Yan Yu felt distressed upon seeing this.
"sorry."
"I should have waited for your consent before taking the next step."
"I didn't control it."
Ning Yunxi was in a state of confusion.
Why do I feel admiration?
Is this the love between men and women?
Maybe not?
When did I become interested?
How can I admire my own brother?
Then should I still try to match him up with someone else?
He has never been married, and I am a second-time bride, how can I be worthy of him?
There are many rumors outside, accusing me of being unfilial and maliciously slandering my parents. As an assistant minister, they may think I am a treacherous villain, but if I become the empress, wouldn't I have to let him bear the infamy with me?
Will he lose the support of the people because of me?
Thinking of this, she finally sorted out her thoughts and gradually regained her calm.
"fine."
Yan Yu still felt distressed.
"Is it really okay?"
Ning Yunxi nodded and tried to smile.
"Let's just pretend nothing happened."
"Anyway, I have no love for you. If it's like this, it's just the feeling of the night breeze caressing me."
Yan Yu smiled back, but with a hint of bitterness in her expression.
"You have no feelings for me. That's normal. I know."
"I will continue to pursue you."
"As true as ever, I will marry you."
Ning Yunxi lowered her head helplessly.
"If I choose to refuse, can you stop pursuing me?"
Yan Yu's eyes were firm.
"No."
"If you find it annoying, I can back off, but I won't give up."
"Even if you remarry, I will not marry anyone else and will always wait for you."
Ning Yunxi was completely distressed.
"Then I'll go back to Ning Mansion. Second brother's wedding banquet hasn't ended yet."
Yan Yu smiled contentedly, her starry eyes filled with satisfaction.
"Then I'll go back too."
"With you."
……
After the wedding banquet, Ning Xuanfeng walked into the bridal chamber.
He lifted the veil with great anticipation, but saw a man's face. He was so scared that he fell to the ground and crawled away.
"You, you, you... who are you?"
Zhuang Rui wore a phoenix coronet and a bridal robe and deliberately put on ugly makeup. After the prank was successful, he laughed out loud with joy.
"Hahaha."
"Are you scared?"
Ning Xuanfeng looked at him carefully for a long time and finally recognized him from the details.
"Second uncle?"
Zhuang Rui was shocked.
"I was dressed like this, but you still recognized me?"
As he said this, he reached out to help her and pretended to apologize.
"It's just a joke, brother-in-law, don't you mind?"
"I'm so sorry, are you hurt?"
Ning Xuanfeng breathed a sigh of relief and then smiled apologetically.
"It's okay, it's just a fall. It doesn't hurt."
"It turns out that my second uncle is also a fellow traveler."
As he spoke, he felt a pain in his left arm.
"It hurts!"
"Second uncle, you're holding me too hard..."
Zhuang Rui pretended not to know.
"is it?"
"Did it hurt you?"
"I know a little bit about medicine, I can straighten your bones for you, and the pain will go away after I fix them."
Ning Xuanfeng had already thought of the next step and waved his hands repeatedly to refuse.
“No, no, no… ah!”
"It's like it's dislocated."
After he finished speaking, a sharp pain suddenly hit him. He roared silently and sweat appeared on his forehead.
Thinking of Zhuang Xianhui in his heart, he endured the pain, breathing heavily, and tried to please and comfort his second uncle.
"I'm fine, don't worry, uncle."
"My second uncle's medical skills are indeed superb."
Zhuang Rui is full of fun.
"How is that brilliant? Didn't you say it was dislocated?"
Ning Xuanfeng gritted his teeth and forced a smile.
"I mean, without your help, I would have dislocated my joint."
Zhuang Rui patted his arm.
"So that's how it is. I'm glad you're alright. I'm leaving now. You can get busy."
Ning Xuanfeng almost cried out in pain.
She took a tentative look outside, confirmed that he had left, and immediately began to massage herself.
"It hurts so much. How come my second uncle also has this hobby? I haven't heard mother mention it before."
"Forget it, as long as my Hui'er is considerate and gentle."
"As for my second uncle, stay away from me from now on."
"By the way, where's Hui'er?"
While talking to herself, Zhuang Xianhui returned to her new house.
"My husband is back?"
"I went to the kitchen to get some snacks."
Ning Xuanfeng smiled sweetly, very satisfied.
"Why do you need to get it yourself? Just tell the servants to do it."
As he said this, he reached out to take the chopsticks.
"How do you know I'm hungry?"
Zhuang Xianhui started eating by herself, and when she saw him reaching out his hand, she looked puzzled.
"Are you hungry? I don't know, this is for me."
"The servants are busy with the front hall and can't take care of the new house for the time being."
"I just brought a pair of chopsticks. If you want to eat, go get some more."
Ning Xuanfeng felt like he was hit on the head, but after thinking about it, he decided to endure it.
"Then when will we get married?"
Zhuang Xianhui put down her chopsticks and raised her glass first.
"Now."
Ning Xuanfeng smiled shyly, walked over foolishly, and raised his glass.
They drank from each other's cups and looked at each other happily.
Ning Xuanfeng suddenly became excited and started scratching.
"Why do I feel itchy?"
"Could it be that this wedding ceremony..."